Replacing a Torn Bike Seat

Introduction

With frequent usage and exposure to weather, it can be very easy for a bike saddle to rip or degrade over time. As a bike seat is worn down, it becomes less ergonomic, and bike seats are a critical component to biking comfortably. A worn bike seat can cause minor bodily injuries and affect a biker’s concentration on the road. This guide covers how to replace a torn bike seat with a new leather cover to provide a better biking experience.

What you need

Step 1 Bike Seat Cover

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Use a wrench or electrical wrench to loosen the bolt located on the bike frame near the seat post.
Once the bolt is loose, pull the seat post out of the bike frame.

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Step 2

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Orient the bottom of the bike seat so it's facing you, and place the short end of the Allen key into the bolt.
Rotate the Allen key counterclockwise to unscrew the bolt until the clamp is loose.
Slide the seat and seat clamp off the railings of the bike.
Keep track of the orientation of the seat clamp as you will have to reinstall the bike seat with the same orientation of the seat clamp.

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Step 3

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Use a metal spudger to remove the staples on the perimeter of the bike seat.
Carefully peel the old leather material off the bike seat.

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Step 4

Place your bike seat on top of the new leather material and measure out enough leather to generously cover the entire top and sides of the bike seat.
Mark a line around the perimeter of the material and cut along this line.
Make sure the foam of your bike seat is dry and free of moisture before proceeding to the next step.

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Step 5

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Place the bike seat upright on a surface you don’t mind getting dirty and spray the foam seat thoroughly with adhesive spray.
Carefully press the cutout leather sheet onto the top of the bike seat.
Try to minimize wrinkles or air pockets to allow for a tight fit.
Smooth the leather out, and carefully apply the rest of the leather sheet to the remainder of the foam seat.

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Step 6

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Keep all body parts clear of the heavy-duty staple gun and hold it firmly against the leather material.
Press the leather sheet down as close to the bike seat as you can in a desired starting location. Allow it to fold, if necessary.
Hold the staple gun directly against the leather and flush with the surface of the bike seat. Press down firmly, and staple the leather in place.
If the staple doesn’t go through on your first try, that is fine. Use the screwdriver to remove the staple, and try again.
Continue stapling the leather all around the bike seat until the leather is secure, folding or cutting excess as necessary.

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Step 7

Use scissors to cut any excess leather from the inside edge of the seat.

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Step 8

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Assemble the bike seat in the original clamp orientation that was observed in Step 2.
Slide the seat clamp onto the railing located on the underside of the bike seat.
Once positioned, insert the short end of the Allen key into the bolt.
Rotate the Allen key clockwise to screw the bolt in and tighten the seat clamp to the bike seat.
Make sure that the bike seat is positioned and tightened properly before usage to prevent injury.

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Step 9

With the seat on the seat post, lower the post’s metal tube back into the bike’s seat post holder to your desired height.
Make sure that the bike seat is positioned and tightened properly before usage to prevent injury.
Tighten the bolt on the bike frame following the instructions provided in Step 1.